Fight The Bite Hawaiihttp://www.fightthebitehawaii.com
Prevent mosquito borne diseasesMon, 23 Oct 2017 20:12:54 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8112041676Keep up your guard!http://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/uncategorized/keep-up-your-guard/
Fri, 05 May 2017 20:12:41 +0000http://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/?p=435Did you know that Zika virus can be transmitted through sex? During the ongoing worldwide Zika outbreak, scientists have learned that Zika virus can persist in the semen of an infected man for 3 to 6 months after he becomes infected. This was a bit of a surprise to people who thought of Zika as […]

Did you know that Zika virus can be transmitted through sex? During the ongoing worldwide Zika outbreak, scientists have learned that Zika virus can persist in the semen of an infected man for 3 to 6 months after he becomes infected. This was a bit of a surprise to people who thought of Zika as a disease only spread by mosquitoes.

This new twist has added considerable challenges to the efforts of public health educators and the media. What was once a relatively simple explanation (“Zika is transmitted through infected mosquitoes”) has become a much more complicated matter (“Zika is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes or sex”). And it seems to become more complicated on a weekly basis, as researchers study the epidemic and its effects in different populations and countries.

Fetuses are at greatest risk from Zika. Women who are pregnant should do all they can to protect themselves from possible infection by the Zika virus, which can pass from an infected woman to her baby in utero. If this occurs, the fetus is at risk of severe birth defects.

This is of particular concern when a pregnant woman has a male partner who travels to a place where the Zika virus is actively spreading. If, during his travels, a man becomes infected with the Zika virus (for example, via mosquito), he can then go on to infect a woman through unprotected sex, for up to 6 months. Since four out of five people with Zika infection do not actually show any symptoms, a man may be unaware he is infected. However, if the virus is in his semen, he can unknowingly transfer it to his sexual partner.

In our multicultural society, navigating the cultural and religious taboos about sex is not easy, but it is vitally important to communicate the risks, especially to pregnant women and those who are planning to become pregnant.

Back to basicsZika does not discriminate and can also be transmitted to a pregnant woman or any other human through a bite from an infected mosquito. To avoid infection via a mosquito, we all need to “Fight the Bite!” Here are several ways to avoid mosquito bites:

]]>435Making an Impression on Social Mediahttp://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/uncategorized/making-impression-social-media/
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 19:37:46 +0000http://fightthebitehawaii.com/?p=385@FightTheBiteHI is in full swing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The social media platforms were selected to increase the reach of the Fight the Bite campaign with those who are typically less exposed to more traditional communications methods used by the campaign. With the increasing popularity and capabilities of social media, the campaign hopes to […]

]]>@FightTheBiteHI is in full swing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The social media platforms were selected to increase the reach of the Fight the Bite campaign with those who are typically less exposed to more traditional communications methods used by the campaign.

With the increasing popularity and capabilities of social media, the campaign hopes to extend prevention messaging in small and easy to understand pieces of information. The content includes tips to prevent mosquito bites outdoors, easy steps to prevent mosquito infestation, and popular articles that talk about the link between mosquitoes and diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. The hashtag #FightTheBiteHI has been a popular way to group the different voices promoting the campaign.

To follow Fight the Bite on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, simply search for FightTheBiteHI in each platform.

]]>385FightTheBiteHawaii.com Gets Revampedhttp://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/uncategorized/fightthebitehawaii-com-gets-revamped/
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 19:23:41 +0000http://fightthebitehawaii.com/?p=383As part of the relaunch of the Fight the Bite campaign, a new version of FightTheBiteHawaii.com is now live. The website aims to serve as a comprehensive source of information on mosquito-borne diseases, including information on Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, and how to prevent the diseases from being introduced and spreading in Hawaii. The new […]

]]>As part of the relaunch of the Fight the Bite campaign, a new version of FightTheBiteHawaii.com is now live. The website aims to serve as a comprehensive source of information on mosquito-borne diseases, including information on Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, and how to prevent the diseases from being introduced and spreading in Hawaii.

The new campaign website includes an extensive Frequently Asked Questions on mosquito-borne diseases, including how diseases are transmitted, symptoms of each disease and how to prevent them from spreading. In addition to health information, the website offers tips and best practices that Hawaii residents can utilize to reduce mosquito breeding areas on their properties and ways to contact Department of Health officials to report potential infestations.

The current iteration of the website is part of the latest phase of the Fight the Bite camapaign. Future phases of the campaign include a community toolkit, how-to videos showing how to prevent against breeding areas and mosquito bites, and other tools to help organizations and individuals to spread the Fight the Bite messaging in their communities.

]]>383Fight the Bite Campaign Re-launcheshttp://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/uncategorized/fight-bite-campaign-re-launches/
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 19:12:56 +0000http://fightthebitehawaii.com/?p=380As summer brings to Hawaii increased travel to and from the state, top state and local officials, including Governor Ige and Mayors Arakawa, Caldwell, Carvalho, and Kenoi stood together on June 30 to demonstrate a concerted statewide effort to “Fight the Bite” and keep Hawaii free of diseases spread by mosquitoes. The public education campaign […]

]]>As summer brings to Hawaii increased travel to and from the state, top state and local officials, including Governor Ige and Mayors Arakawa, Caldwell, Carvalho, and Kenoi stood together on June 30 to demonstrate a concerted statewide effort to “Fight the Bite” and keep Hawaii free of diseases spread by mosquitoes. The public education campaign has been relaunched by the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week and expanded to include all mosquito-borne diseases that pose a threat to Hawaii, such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya.

The revamped “Fight the Bite” campaign has two key components. The first comes on the heels of the recent Hawaii Island dengue fever outbreak, which began in October 2015 and continued through the spring of this year. As a follow up to the intense response to 264 cases of dengue fever that likely began as a result of an infected traveler, DOH coordinated with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and county emergency management/civil defense agencies to develop a response plan specifically for mosquito-borne diseases. It outlines ongoing preparedness activities to take place when there are no cases, as well as response measures for all imported cases and measures in the event of infected mosquitoes transmitting a disease locally.

The second component includes a research-based public education campaign that leverages numerous broadcast and social media channels to build awareness about mosquito-borne disease prevention. Starting in early July, Hawaii residents can expect to hear “Fight the Bite” messages on local radio and television stations statewide, and see graphics in malls and shopping centers. All resources will be made available to the public at the redesigned campaign website at www.FightTheBiteHawaii.com.

DOH is coordinating closely with tourism officials to ensure the “Fight the Bite” message reaches visitors to Hawaii. With the support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and State Department of Transportation, people can also expect to see updated “Fight the Bite” information this year in key points-of-entry, such as airports and harbors.

]]>380Using Mosquito Repellentshttp://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/prevention/using-mosquito-repellents/
http://www.fightthebitehawaii.com/prevention/using-mosquito-repellents/#respondThu, 30 Jun 2016 14:21:49 +0000http://fightthebitehawaii.com/?p=89Repellents are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. A wide variety of insect repellent products are available. CDC recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing. EPA registration of […]

]]>Repellents are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

A wide variety of insect repellent products are available. CDC recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing. EPA registration of repellent active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the instructions on the label.

Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, two have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature*. Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:

DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)

Picaridin (KBR 3023)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

These recommendations are for domestic use in the United States. See CDC Travelers’ Health website (www.cdc.gov) for specific recommendations concerning protection from insects when traveling outside the United States.

In addition, certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear, and are registered with EPA for this use. Permethrin is highly effective as an insecticide and as a repellent. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other arthropods and retains this effect after repeated laundering. The permethrin insecticide should be reapplied following the label instructions. Some commercial products are available pretreated with permethrin.

Length of protection from mosquito bites varies with the amount of active ingredient, ambient temperature, amount of physical activity/perspiration, any water exposure, abrasive removal, and other factors. For long-duration protection, use a long-lasting (micro-encapsulated) formula and re-apply as necessary, according to label instructions.

EPA recommends the following precautions when using insect repellents:

Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label.) Do not use repellents under clothing.

Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

Do not allow children to handle the product. When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put it on the child. You may not want to apply to children’s hands.

Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.

After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. (This precaution may vary with different repellents—check the product label.)

If you or your child get a rash or other bad reaction from an insect repellent, stop using the repellent, wash the repellent off with mild soap and water, and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor because of the repellent, take the repellent with you to show the doctor.

Note that the label for products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus specifies that they should not be used on children under the age of three years. Other than those listed above, EPA does not recommend any additional precautions for using registered repellents on pregnant or lactating women, or on children. For additional information regarding the use of repellent on children, please see CDC’s “Frequently Asked Questions about Repellent Use” at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm • Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays, do not spray directly on face—spray on hands first and then apply to face.

DEET-based repellents applied according to label instructions may be used along with a separate sunscreen. Sunscreen may need to be applied more often than repellant, so it is better to use separate products than a combined one.